Air-conditioning apparatus



July 3, 1951 A. H. KEHOE AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 1, 1949 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR H.KEHQE.

ll TTOR NE Y5.

July '3, 1951 A. H. KEHOE v AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed April 1,1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNDFUJILIW JJU IM )1 (P01 uvvuvrog ARTHUR H.KEHOE.

BY I

ATTORNEYS.

July 3, 1951 I A. H. KEHOE AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet sumo m JOOU Filed April 1, 1949 INVENTOR. ARTHUR H. KEHOE.

A TTO RNEYS.

July 3, 1951 A. 'H. KEHOE AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed April 1, 1949 m H M w m E. R

m H M a R m u v. M T [I R mm D WUNHMNU UIW A UD-m JOOU July 3, 1951 A.H. KEHOE 2,559,217

I AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1949 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FuusLIQUID STORAGE 1 o AT VA l-.\/ E 45 THERMAL VALVE.

CONDENSER EVAPORATOR 36 ABSORBER REcTI FIER EN EEATOR Low Presssuna WEAKLIGL.

HIGH Przassuae:

S-rRcmn;-

A'R LIQ- ETEIEING 52 VALVE HEAT EXCHANGEIZ INVENTOR.

ARTH u :2 H. KEHoE.

Q QJ Gas Co NTOl-ILVE ATTORNEY.

Patented July 3, 1951 AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS Arthur H. Kehoe,Rutherford, N. J assignor to Consolidated Edison Company of New York,Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 1,1949, Serial No. 84,917

This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus of a typeparticularly intended, among other possible uses, for either heating orcooling, as desired, spaces adapted for human occupancy, as well as forcontrolling the humidity of, and for ventilating such spaces.

According to a preferred form of the invention, the air conditioningapparatus is located at an 14 Claims. (01. 62-429) aperture through apartition or the like which confines the space to be air conditioned,and so that about one half of' the apparatus protrudes within such spaceand the remainder extending outside. The apparatus may conveniently belocated, for example, within a window opening or in an opening cut justbelow a window. The apparatus includes an outer shell-like structuregenerally cylindrical in form and mounted to be slowly rotatable about avertical axis positioned within or parallel to the partition. Such shellstructure contains around within its peripheral regions assemblies ofradiating fins or the like which are fixed to the shell structure sothat they are carried along arcuate paths alternately inside and outsidethe partition as the shell rotates. Such fin assemblies are positionedin heat-transfer relationship with two separate bodies of heattransferfluid also arranged around within the peripheral regions of the shellstructure, and one of which is inside and the other of which is outsidethe partition. Refrigerating apparatus, preferably of an improved andhighly efficient vapor absorption type may be mounted within the innerregions inside the shell structure, such apparatus having its warm andcool sides respectively connected for communication with said two bodiesof heat-transfer fluid. These two bodies of fluid may, if desired,comprise the fluid confined within the enclosed hot and cold units ofthe refrigeration cycle, but in the pres-- ently preferred exampleherein disclosed, these bodies of fluid are separate from the fluid inthe refrigeration system per se, and are circulated into heat exchangingrelation with the not and cold units of the system.

The apparatus preferably includes fans or the like for blowing externalair over the radiating fins outside the partition, and other fans or thelike may be provided for circulating indoor air over the radiating finsinside the partition.

The refrigeratin part of the apparatus as contained within the innerregions inside the shell structure is preferably also mounted to turnabout the above-mentioned axis, whereby its warm and cool sides may beturned respectively to either inside or outside positions under thecontrol of automatic means, so as to utilize the apparatus for eitherheating or cooling the living space, depending upon the season of theyear, or relative inside and outside temperatures desired. For thegenerator of" the refrigerat apparatus, heat energy is preferablyprovided by a small gas burner, although steam or other types of heatsources may be used. Since when the apparatus operates for heating theroom, the equipment serves as a heat pump, it derives a considerableportion of the required heatby utilizing the external atmosphere as aheat bank. When the apparatus is used for cooling the room, it operatesas a heat pump taking heat from the atmosphere of the room and radiatingsame to the external atmosphere. Provision is preferably made when theapparatus operates as a heater to also utilize for heating the room thesmall amount of heat radiated by an electric motor or motors used torotate the outer shell structure, the fans and pumps; and when thedevice is used to cool the room, such heat is discharged outdoors.

Arrangements are also providedfor diverting or by-passim; portions ofthe air streams which pass over the radiating surfaces in a manner so asto introduce controlled amounts of fresh air into the living space.

It has heretofore been a troublesome problem with air conditioningapparatus having refrigerating means, to dispose of the difficulty offrosting of, or the drippin of moisture from the cold heat-transferringsurfaces on which large amounts of moisture will accumulate andseriously interfere with the operation or efficiency of the apparatus,thus either requiring periodic shutting down of the equipment to allowfor defrosting, or in some cases involving difficulties due to thedripping of water from the moisture accumulations. With the presentinvention, this problem is eliminated by reason of the fact that the finstructures or the like on which. the moisture accumulates, viz. thestructure of the outer shell above referred to, gradually turns, so thateach portion thereof alternately passes along arcuate paths inside andoutside of the space to be air conditioned. Thus, for example, when theapparatus is used for heating purposes in the winter, as the radiatingfins accumulate. frost or moisture on the outdoor side, they aresuccessively and progressively brought around inside, where theatmosphere ordinarily is relatively lacking in moisture, so that themoisture on the fins is there evaporated and serves to humidify theroom, at the same time gradually eliminating the moisture from the finswithout dripping of water. On the other hand, when the apparatus isbeing used to cool the room during warmer weathenat which time frost ormoisture will tend to accumulate on the fins while located inside theroom, the fins will be similarly gradually and progressively carriedoutdoors before any excessive amount of moisture accumulates thereon,and in their outdoor position they will become free of moisture beforere-entering' the room.

'3 Thus at times, as during summer weather, when the room atmospheretends to be excessively humid, moisture will be taken from the room andevaporated outdoors.

The above and other novel features of the invention'will appear morefully from the following detailed description when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, thatthe drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are notdesigned as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference beinghad for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the. indoorportions of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 2.is a perspective view showing the outdoor side of the apparatusand with the internal parts in the process of turning from the coolingto the heating position; 7

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken su stantially along a planeperpendicular to the wall of the room and showing the apparatus incondition for heating, ventilating and humidifying the atmosphere of theroom;

Fig. 4 is view similar to Fig. 3, showing the apparatus in condition forcooling the room and dehumidifying and ventilating same;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6of Fig. 5 and showing certain details;

Fig. 7 is abroken sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1of Fig. 5'and showing certain further details;

Fig. 8 is a broken sectional view taken substantially along the line 88adjacent the base of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 5 and show- Fig. 10is .a schematic wiring diagram of a control circuit used in theapparatus.

Referring to the drawings in further detail and more particularly toFig. 5, a top plan view of the above-mentioned rotary shell structure isindicated at II That is, this structure in the form shown, comprises apair of concentric spaced-apart cylindrical walls II, I2, between whichthere are located semi-cylindrical spaces I3 and I3, providingr-eceptaclesfor the abovementioned two bodies of heat-transfer fluid(preferably anysuitable well-known antifreezing mixture). The body ofliquid at I3 is within the outdoor portion of the rotary shellstructure, :whereas that at, I 3- is within the indoor side, and thesetwo bodies of liquid are separated one from the other, forexample, as bybaffles I4, I4, which are mounted on a rigid crosspiece I5 to extenddown into the space between cylindrical walls H and I2, so as to preventthe fluid in the outdoor side from mixing with the fluid in the indoorside while the whole shell structure I0 is left free to be rotated.Cylin drical wall II is provided with a series of spaced verticallyextending fins I 6 thereon protruding outwardly, and cylindrical wall I2is similarly provided with a series of spaced vertical fins I6 thereonextending inwardly. The outer edges of fins I 6 are embraced by an outercylindrical wall I! and the inner edges of the fins I5 may be aifixed toor abut a cylindrical wall I8, forming the inner wall of the rotaryshell structure.

As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8, the rotary shell structure Il] may besupported at the bottom by three rollers 20, and 2I. Rollers 20, 20' maybe mounted in bearings carried by a bottom cross piece I5. For thepurpose of rotating the shell structure about the remaining parts of theequipment contained inside thereof, the roller 2I may be driven bysuitable gearing at 22, driven by shaft 23, which extends up to gearing24 on the upper side of the apparatus, the latter gearing in turn beingdriven from gearing at 25 connected to the same drive means as providedfor fans 26a, 26b, 26c, 25d. That is, as appears from Figs. 3 and 5,these fans are mounted on vertical shafts respectively driven bysuitable belts which run over a central pulley 21, driven by an electricmotor 28. The above-described drive connections for turning the rotaryshell structure ID are so proportioned, considering the speed of themotor, that the shell structure rotates one-half revolution per hour,for example. When the apparatus is being used for heating purposes, viz.with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 3, the conditions will besuch that there is no necessity or advantage in rotating the rotaryshell structure at times when the outdoor temperature is at -40" F. orhigher and at such times it is advantageous to disconnect the drive forsuch shell structure, whereas at all other times, that is,

" when the outdoor temperature is below about 35-40" F. and when theapparatus is being used for cooling purposes (as per Fig. 4) such driveconnections should be retained in operation tosecure the advantagesabove indicated. The automatic disconnection of this drive at propertimes may, of course, be accomplished in a variety of ways. By way ofexample, for that purpose a suitable magnetic clutch 24 (Fig. 5) may beinterposed in the shaft connecting gearing 24, 25, and this clutch maybe controlled by a Sylphon capsule 24a (Fig. 3) located on the outdoorside, for example beneath the cover for the apparatus, and arranged tooperate contacts at 245 connected in a simple series circuit for themagnetic clutch, which circuit is also under the control of a switch at240, one side or contact of which is mounted on a stationary part andthe other side or contact of which is carried on a part which turns withthe heat absorption system. The clutch 24' may be designed and arrangedto disconnect the drive shaft when this circuit is completed at bothcontacts 24b and 240 viz. when the temperature acting on capsule 24a isabout 35 or or higher outdoors and the system is in condition for usefor heating as per Fig. 3. On the other hand, when the system is incondition for cooling as in Fig. 4, the circuit will be open at switch240 and the clutch 24' will be in condition to 4 maintain the drivecomiection for the rotary manner more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4,-

where the various units are identified by the same names or referencecharacters as in Fig. 9. It will be understood that each of thecoilshaped units of the diagram of Fig. 9 are structurally shaped andpositioned. as per Figs. 3 and. 4, so as to all concentrically encirclethe vertical axis of the machine.

The generator of the system preferably comprises a pair of concentrictubes, the inner tube 29 running from the high pressure strong liquorpump 39, through the heat exchanger and through the inside of thegenerator coil up to' near the top interior thereof. The outer tube 31of the generator runs from the rectifier around the strong liquor tubecontained therein at thegenerator and heat exchanger, on to a meteringvalve 32, which may take the form of a pump. As indicated in Figs. 3 and4, the pump and valve 32 conveniently may be located in the centralchamber beneath, and be driven by, the motor 28. The generator tubing islocated in an annular chamber 33 at the bottom of which the heat forproviding the energy for operating the system may be introduced; theheat source being here shown in the form of a small gas burner fromwhich the hot products of combustion of the gas and heated air pass upalong the turns of the generator coil and thence as indicated in Fig. 3,through an exhaust flue 34 extending up through the central axis of themachine and opening to the outdoor atmosphere at the top as at 35. Asupply of air for the burner is provided through a tube 340. having itsinlet in the space beneath fans 26b and 260 for receiving air therefromunder some pressure. If desired such pressure may be increased byinterposing a small centrifugal blower 34b in the tube 34a. As shown inFigs. 3 and 4, such blower may conveniently be located upon a housingfor the pump 30 and metering valve 32 and connected to be driven by themotor 28' through the same shaft which drives the latter. The blowercasin may thus surround the stuffing box for the pump and metering valvedrive shaft so that in the event any refrigerant tends to escape thispoint, it will be blown along to the burner and thence up and outthrough the flue 34 to the outside atmosphere.

The upper end of the generator coil is connected to the lower end of therectifier coil, the latter being, as shown in Fig. 3, preferably of thesame diameter as the generator coil and positioned just above thelatter. The rectifier coil may be accompanied on its inner side by aseries of spaced vertical fins 35, providing air passages therebetweenfor purposes hereinafter explained.

The upper end of the rectifier coil, as shown, is connected to thecondenser, which, as indicated in Fig. 3, may actually be a coil ofsmaller diameter than the rectifier and located concentrically insidethe latter, and in close heatexchange relationship to the same fins 36as above mentioned. The outlet end of the condenser coil is connected toa liquid storage tank The thermal valve may, for example,

6; nection 3-1. a somewhat restricted tube 38 into the upper end of theevaporator coil, and the lower end of the latter discharge into theupper end of the absorber coil. As in the case of the generator, theabsorber coil is formed with concentric inner and outer tubes 39 and 40.The inner tube 3-9 terminates within and near the top of the outer tube40 as shown in 9, providing there an outlet into the space within thelarger tube 40 for the low pressure weak liquor which has passed throughthe meterin valve 32. As shown in Fig. 9. the outer absorber tube 40 isconnected into the high pressure strong liquor pump 38. The evaporatorand absorber coils respectively are contained within annular chambers 4|l'3- and [3' respectively, is made to circulate through these annularchambers 4| and 42 in the manner indicated in the upper right handportion of Fig. 9. There are here shown somewhat diagrammatically, thecool and warm bodies of liquid at the opposite sides of the barriers l4,l4 above mentioned. Liquid from near the surface of the cool side bodyis drawn through a connection 4.5 into the lower portion of annularchamber 4|, and from the upper portion of this chamber, such. liquid isdrawn through an impeller pump 44 back through a connection 43 into thecool body. Liquid from nearthe bottom of the warm side body is withdrawnthrou h a connection 46 into the bottom of annular chamber 42, thenceout through a connection 41 at the top of this chamber through animpeller pump 48 and connection back into the up er portion of the warmside body of liquid. These connections are in part shown in Fig. 5, butto avoid confusion, are omitted from Figs. 3 and 4.

The manner in which the system, as shown in Fig. 9 will function whencontaining a suitable known refrigerant. will be readily apparent tothose. skilled in the heat exchanger art, withoutthrough 180 to theposition shown in Fig. 4.

It will be understood that in that event the body of liquid !3 will thenbe in the warm side, whereas the liquid at I3 will be on the cool side.The barriers M, M and the connections as. indicated at the upper righthand portion of the diagram of Fig. 9, will all turn with the vaporsystem as a unit, so that there will be no necessity of disconnectingand reconnecting any liquid conduits. in changing the machine from aheater to a cooling apparatus.

As. shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the supporting. structure for the vaporabsorption system may comprise upper and lower metal plates 59 and 5|interconnected by a cylindrical structural supporting wall 52. The fourfans, as shown, may be mounted on. the top plate 59. The various unitsof the absorption system may be surrounded, except as otherwise shown,by suitable insulation material 53. If desired the outside of thisstructure may be covered by a metal cylindrical wall 54 around which therotary shell structure Illv rotates. The structurev comprising theplates 50, 5| and cylinders 52, 54, and the parts contained therein, arerotatably mounted about the central vertical axis of the apparatus onhollow shafts as at 55, 55', carried in lower and. upper bearings Thefloat valve discharges throughv and 42 and the liquid above-mentionedat,

7 as indicated in Fig. 3, shaft 55' also serving as the flue 34 from thegas burner. The lower hollow shaft 55, as also indicated in Fig. 3, mayprovide an inlet opening f! the main gas fuel pipe, a pilot gas pipe,and electrical connections.

- In order to turn the heat exchanging system from heating to coolingposition or vice versa, a reversible motor 60 is provided, connectedthrough suitable reduction gearing El, 62 and a chain 63 to rotate theshaft 55 (bottom Fig. 3). As indicated by the legend on this figure, themotor 60, as well as a valve in the gas supply line for the burner,-maybe controlled by a thermostatically controlled circuit, for example acircuit such as schematically indicated in Fig. 10. This circuit isarranged to control the apparatus as follows. Assuming that the parts ofthe equipment are in theposition shown in Fig. 3, that is; for heatingthe room, andthat the room temperature is, for example, about 70 orbelow, then the gas supply valve is inopen condition, sothat-theburnerwillbe on to supply the necessary-energy for operating theequipment as a heater;

(or some'otherpredetermined desired comfortablelimit) the gas supply isshut off and the burner flame is thus extinguished, except for a smallpilot light supplied through a separate pilot supply pipe (as indicatedat the bottom of Fig. 3). Assuming that the room temperature thencontinues to rise, say. to.72 (or some other predetermined desired upperlimit beyond which it is desired to cool the room) then the controlcir-- cuit will .act to start the motor 60 and thereby turn theabsorption system through 180 to cooling position, and at the same timeopen the gassupply valve to re-establish the main flame at the burner toprovide energy for the operation of the cooling equipment, so long asthe room temperature is above 72 or other desired upper limit. At thistime the parts of the apparatus will be in the position shown in Fig. 4.Later on, if the room temperature again falls to say 72, so that it isno longer necessary to cool the room, the circuit will act to close thegas burner control valve. And if the room, temperature falls stillfurther, say to 70, the circuit will then act to operate the motor as inthe reverse direction for restoring the parts to the positions shown inFig. 3 and to turn on the gas burner, again.

The circuit (as shown. in Fig. 10) may comprise a thermostat 60a adaptedto apply a polarity alternatively to either of the two contactsdesignaed 70 and 72 respectively. A rotatable limit position. Theswitch60b may be positioned at.

any convenient point so that it will be actuated by reason of engagementwith a part carried on the rotatable absorption system at the momentsuch system completes its arcuate travel in either. direction through180 from one position to the other.. In Fig. 10 a solenoid operated gascontrol valve is indicated at 6611. The man-.

ner in which this circuit operates will be apparent from the abovedescription of. its functions. V

While for simplicity in the diagram of Fig. 10 onlya single pair ofcontrol contactsare shown at the thermostat for operating the gas valveThen,- if the room temperature rises and exceeds say 70 either to itsclosed or open positions, it will be understood that by the use ofadditional contacts corresponding to different temperaturesrespectively, a variably operable motor controlled gas Valve might beprovided in various ways wellknown in the art of thermostaticallycontrolled valves, so that as either a larger or smaller burner flame isdesired, the gas control valve may be thermostatically adjustedaccordingly.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the indoor side of the equipment may beenclosed in a housing 65 having inlets 66, 56' at either side of itsupper portion through which air is drawn down through conduits B1, 61'from higher regions in the room at times when the equipment is beingused for cooling. That is, this air is withdrawn from the upper part ofthe room by the action of the fans' 26b, 26c and passes down through theapparatus in the manner hereinafter described, and thence out through asuitable grillwork 65' at the floor.

When the apparatus is being used for heating purposes, the paths oftravel of these streams of air are reversed. Fig. 2 shows the apparatus"just as it is being turned from indoor heating to cooling position. Asindicated in this figure, when the room is to be heated, outdoor airen-' ters through grillwork as at 68 located around beneath a stationaryoutdoor top cover 69 for the device, This air is drawn by the fans 26b,260 down into the machine, such air being largely directed down throughthe vertical channels between the fins l6, IS, in heat-transfer rela-'tionship with the body of liquid at l3, the air' being discharged at thebottom of the channels between these fins.

tionary casing 10.

As will be noted from Figs. 3 and 5, the central chamber'area whichcontains the motor 28,

at its upper end, by a semi-circular dome-shaped cover H, is closed 01fagainst the flow of air into same from the outside atmosphere, but inorder to provide entrance of small controlled amounts of fresh air forventilating the room,

a damper means 12 is provided (see details in Figs. 5-7 inc). Thisdamper means has an aperture 13 communicating with the vertical channelslocated between several of the fins 36. Thus through this damperaperture a small amount of fresh outdoor air is bypassed and forced downthrough a small number of these channels, thence around the lower edgeof the condenser at 14 (Fig. 3) and thence up into the central chamberpast the motor 28 and past the fans as at 26a,

up into the room. As best shown in Figs. '7 and 4,"

the damper 72 may be automatically and thermostatically controlled, forexample by a Sylphon capsule 15 connected by suitable linkage 16 to thedamper, so that when the apparatus is being used for cooling purposes,if the weather is hot" apparatus is used for heating. At this time thefans 26a. and 26d serve to draw air in through the floor grill 65' upthrough the channels between the fins !6, I6 within the indoor side, ofthe rotary shell structure, this air then passing up through outlets 61,67'. At the same time, part of the air coming in through the grill 65'The upper outside portion of the apparatus down to the level of the topof fins It may be enclosed by a semi-cylindrical sta will flow inbeneath the apparatus and thence through-an opening 80 up through thecentral part thereof and through the fans 26a, 2612. A part of thislatte air stream passes up through the vertical channels between thefins 36 which surround the condenser, and another portion passes upthrough the central chamber over the surface of the motor 28. Thus allof the indoor air which passes up through the "internal channels of thedevice at this time will flow over heated surfaces.

Referring now to Fig. 4, when the vapor absorption system is turnedaround through 180 to provide for cooling the room the fans 26a and 26dmum on the outside and serve to draw outdoor air up through thesen1i-circular opening 80 in the bottom plate 5|, thence up through thechannels between fins 36 surrounding the condenser and also up throughthe central cavity past the motor 28, out through the fans 26a, 2601 andoutdoors through the grill 68. At thesame time, other outdoor, air willbe drawn into the bottom ends of the channels between fins IS, IS on theoutdoor portion of the rotary shell structure and in heat-transferrelationship with the body of fluid at [3, This air will. also pass upthrough the fans and out through the grill 68. At this time it will benoted that the semi-circular dome member ll covers the inside half ofthe upper end of the chamber containing the motor 28 so that thischamber as well as most of the cavities between fins 3c are separatedfrom the streams of air on the indoor side. However, a small amount ofindoor air will be blown by the fans 26b, 260 (which are now on theindoor side) down through the damper '12 through the channels betweenseveral of the fins 36 and around beneath the lower edge of thecondenser at .14 into and up through the cavity surrounding the motor 28and outdoors through fans 25a, 26d. Thus by this means a small amount ofair will be constantl displaced from the room to insure properventilation, the amount depending upon the position or adjustment of thedamper 12.

Referring now to the right hand side of Fig. 4, when the apparatus isoperating to cool the room, it will be apparent that air from theconduits 6-1, 61 will be drawn by the fans 26b, 260 down through thecavities between fins l6, IE on the indoor side of the rotatable shellstructure in heat-exchanging relation with the cold fluid at [3 andthence out through the fioor grill 65. The top of the assemblycomprising the fans and the absorption system has an internal cover 8|which is fixed in relation to this assembly to turn therewith and hasapertures in which the four fans are located. As shown with the parts inthe position of Fig. 4, the periphery of this internal cover has asemi-circular depending lip 8la, the lower edge of which is spaced fromthe upper edge of the rotary shell structure far enough to provide apassage 82 through which some air may pass down through a by-pass cavityor space 83 to the floor grill 65. As is known in the art of airconditioning where a stream of air is circulated past a cooling surface,for maintenance of desirable moisture and temperature conditions in theresulting stream, it is desirable to pass only a portion of the streamin close heatexohanging relation with the cold surfaces, and to by-passthe remaining part of the stream from such surfaces so that the latterpart of the stream will remain at a higher temperature when it is mixedwith the issuing cold portion of the stream.

10 The by-pa'ss cavity or space 83 enables this practice to be carriedout with this apparatus.

As will appear from the left hand side of Fig. 4 and the right hand sideof Fig. 1, the internal cover 81 on its side opposite from the dependinglip 8 la, is formed with a more extensive depending lip '8 it, so thatwhen the apparatus is in the condition shown in Fig. 3, the passage at83 will be blocked off.

It will be apparent that the apparatus in the form above described has anumber of important advantages in providing a highly efficient unitarystructure for either heating or cooling a room as required, and at thesame time either humidi-fying or dehumidifylng the room atmosphere asrequired, and providing controlled means for ventilating the room.

The units of the vapor absorption system are arranged in anexceptionally compact concentric well balanced relationship, and at thesame time a relationship such that the indoor and outdoor streams of airwhich pass in heat-exchanging relationship thereto are efiicientlyheated or cooled as required, with little opportunity for loss ofenergy. The constant turning of the rotary shell structure insures thatparts which bear moisture outdoors in the winter time will becomeprogressively made free of moisture indoors, thereby utilizing suchmoisture to humidify the room; and conversely, when the apparatus isbeing used to cool the room, to the extent that the parts of the rotaryshell structure become .cov ered with moisture on the indoor side, theywill be progressively made free of moisture on the outdoor side, thuscarrying moisture from the room at times when the humidity in the roomis prone to be excessive. The provision of the apparatus in such a formthat substantially half of it ,protrudes outdoors, makes it possible toutilize the equipment in places where space requirements are limited.And the apparatus is well adapted to be positioned, for example, in anaperture be neath a window, so that the top surface of the casing 65 mayprovide a convenient wide window ledge or table area.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to aparticular preferred example, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art after understanding the invention, that various changes andfurther modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, in the appendedclaims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed .as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Air conditioning apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatableshell structure, means for mounting and gradually rotating same :about acentral axis adapted to be located along a partition or the like whichconfines the space to be air conditioned, and whereby the arcuatepath ofeach portion of said structure will be partly inside and partly outsidethe partition, means providing extensive radiating surfaces mountedaround within the peripheral portions of said shell structure androtatable therewith, container means for two separate bodies of heattransfer fluid extending respectively around within the inside andoutside peripheral portions of said shell structure and in heat transferrelation to said radiating surfaces, and refrigerating ap paratus havingits warm and cool sides respectively connected for communication withsaid two bodies of fluid.

in a position partially Within and partially outside of the space to beair conditioned, said structure including a pair of substantiallyconcentric cylindrical walls adapted to retain heattransfer fluidtherebetween, barriers for separating such fluid into two bodiesrespectively which will be located inside and outside said space, andrefrigerating apparatus mounted within the space about which saidannular structure is rotatable, connections for circulating the fluid ofsaid two bodies respectively in heat-transfer relationship with the warmand cool elements of said apparatus; and means for slowly rotating saidstructure about said axis whereby moisture accumulating on the cold sidethereof will be carried around to the warm side thereof for evaporation.

3. Air conditioning apparatus comprising in combination a rotatableannular structure, pivotal mounting means adapted to support saidstructure for rotation in a position partially indoors and partiallyoutdoors, said structure including chamber portions adapted to retainseparate indoor and outdoor bodies of heat-transfer fluid, refrigeratingapparatus with connections for circulating the fluid of said two bodiesrespectively in heat-transfer relationship with elements of contrastingtemperatures in said apparatus, and a series of radiating surfacesmounted in spaced-apart relation around within such structure andproviding passages therebetween for bringing outdoor and indoor currentsof air respectively in heat exchanging relation to said fluid bodies,and means for slowly rotating such structure to carry said surfacessuccessively through, indoor and outdoor positions. 4. .Air conditioningequipment comprising in combination a rotatable annular structure, meansfor mounting and gradually rotating same about a central axis adapted tobe located in a position whereby the arcuate path of each portion ofsaid structure will be partly inside and partly outside the space to beair conditioned, container means in said structure for inside andoutside bodies of heat-transfer fluid, refrigerating apparatus,connections for bringing warm and cool elements of said apparatusrespectively in heat-interchanging relation with said two bodies offluid, and thermostatically controlled means for causing an. automaticinterchange of the relationship of said connections with said two bodiesof fluid responsive to temperature changes in said space, whereby theequipment may operate either to heat or cool said space.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising anabsorption type refrigeration system having an assembly of generallyconcentrically arranged coils constituting respectively principalelements of the system, and pivotal supporting means for mountin saidassembly to turn about a central axis, said system including receptaclemeans for separate bodies of fluid which are to be heated and cooledrespectively by the system and which are located on opposite sides ofsaid axis respectively in heattransferring relationship to hot and coldparts of the system, whereby the assembly may be used for heating orcooling purposes at either side thereof upon turning same about saidaxis.

6. Equipment of the class described comprisl2 ing in combination anassembly of refrigerating apparatus, pivotal mounting means adapted forsupporting said apparatus with either side thereof alternativelyinside'or outside the space to be air conditioned, a plurality of fansmounted on said assembly for blowing separate inside and outside streamsof air over various elements of the apparatus in heat-transferringrelationship thereto, casing structure and passages being provided fordirecting the outdoor air stream over a cooled element of therefrigerating apparatus and the indoor air stream over a heated elementof the apparatus, whenever the apparatus is at one angular position inrespect to its mounting, and the same casing structure and passagesbeing constructed and arranged, when the apparatus is at another angularposition with respect to its pivotal mounting, to direct the outdoorstream and a first part of the indoor stream of air respectively overheated and cooled elements of the refrigerating apparatus and to cause asecond part of the indoor stream to bypass said cooled element and tojoin said first part after the latter has passed saidcooled element. 7

7. Equipment of the class described comprising in combination anrassembly of refrigerating apparatus, pivotal mounting means adapted forsupporting said apparatus with either side thereof alternatively insideor outside the space to be air conditioned, a plurality of fans mountedon said assembly for blowing separate inside and outside streams of airover various elements of the apparatus in heat-transferring relationshipthereto, casing structure and passages being provided for directing theoutdoor air stream over a cooled element of the refrigerating apparatusand the indoor air stream over a heated element of the apparatus,whenever the apparatus is at one angular position in respect to itsmounting, and the same casing structure and passages being constructedand arranged to direct the outdoor and indoor streams of airrespectively over heated and cooled elements of the refrigeratingapparatus when the latter is at another angular position with respect toits pivotal mounting, motor driven means for turning the apparatus toeither of said angular positions, and thermostatically controlledcircuit means for said motor driven means to cause the latter to turnthe apparatus to said first named position when the temperature of saidspace falls below a predetermined level and to turn the apparatus tosaid other position when the inside temperature rises above apredetermined level.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprisingrefrigerating apparatus having warm and cool elements, radiating.structure and drive means for moving same continuously along acircuitous path extending partially inside and partially outside of aspace the temperature of which is to be controlled, means for bringingone of said elements of the refrigerating apparatus into heat-transferrelationship with a portion of said radiating structure while insidesaid space and other means for bringing the other of said elements ofthe refrigerating apparatus into heat-transfer relationship withportions of said radiating structure when outside said space.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprisingrefrigerating apparatus having warm and cool elements, radiatingstructure and a drivetherefor acting to move same continuously along acircuitous path extending partially inside and partially outside of aspace the temperature of which is to be controlled, means for bringingone of said elements of the refrigerating apparatus into heat-transferrelationship with portions of said radiating structure while inside saidspace and other means for bringing the other of said elements of therefrigerating apparatus into heat-transfer relationship with portions ofsaid radiating structure when outside said space, said first mentionedmeans and said other means being interchangeable with respect to suchinside and outside portions of said radiating structure, whereby saidwarm and cool elements respectively may be brought into heat-transferrelation to said inside and outside portions, or said 0001 and warmelements respectively may be brought into heat-transfer relation to saidinside and outside portions.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprisingrefrigerating apparatus having warm and cool elements, radiatingstructure and drive means for normally moving same continuously along acircuitous path extending partially inside and partially outside of aspace the temperature of which is to be controlled, means for bringingalternatively either one of said elements of the refrigerating apparatusinto heat-transfer relationship with a portion of said radiatingstructure while inside said space and other means for then bringing theother of said elements of the refrigerating apparatus into heat-transferrelationship with portions of said radiating structure when outside saidspace, and thermostatically controlled means for automatically stoppingthe operation of said drive means when the outside temperature exceeds apredetermined level and if said other means is then operative to bringsaid cool element into heat-transfer relation with said portions of theradiating structure outside said space.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising anabsorption type refrigeration system having an assembly of generallyconcentrically arranged coils constituting elements of the system,pivotal supporting means for mounting said assembly for rotation in aposition partly inside and partly outside a space to be air conditioned,radiating means inside said space and constructed and arranged to have aheat transfer relationship with either a warm or cool element of saidassembly depending upon the angular position thereof, and additionalradiating means outside said space and constructed and arranged also tohave heat transfer relationship with either a cool or warm element ofsaid assembly.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising arefrigeration system having an assembly of coils constituting elementsof the system, pivotal supporting means for mounting said assembly forrotation in a position partly inside and partly outside a space to beair conditioned, radiating means inside said space and constructed andarranged to have heat transfer relationship with either a warm or coolelement of ,said assembly depending upon the angular position of saidassembly, additional radiating means outside said space and con structedand arranged also to have heat transfer relationship with either a coolor warm element of said assembly depending upon the angular positionthereof, and motor driven fans mounted for rotation with said assemblyabout said pivotal supporting means and positioned respectively to forcestreams of air over said inside and outside radiating means in oppositegenerally vertical directions, the construction and direction ofrotation of said fans respectively being such that when said assembly isat an angular position for transferring heat to said space, thedirection of flow of the indoor air stream will be upward, and when theangular position of said assembly is such as to transfer heat from saidspace, the direction of the indoor air stream will be downwardly.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising arefrigeration system having an assembly of generally concentricallyarranged coils constituting elements of the systern, pivotal supportingmeans for mounting said assembly for rotation about a generally verticalaxis and in a position partly inside and partly outside a space to beair conditioned, radiating means both inside and outside said space andwithin which said assembly is rotatable, means for bringing said insideand outside radiating means respectively into heat-transfer relationshipeach with either a warm or cool element of said assembly depending uponthe angular position thereof, motor driven fans mounted for rotationwith said assembly about said pivotal supporting means, said fans beingpositioned at opposite sides of said pivotal means and being constructedand rotatable in directions respectively such as to force a stream ofair downwardly over said inside radiating means when the latter is inheat-transfer relationship with a cool element and upwardly over saidinside radiating means when the latter is in heat-transfer relationshipwith a warm element of the assembly.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising arefrigeration system having an assembly including warm and coolelements, pivotal supporting means for mounting said assembly forrotation in a position partly inside and partly outside a space to beair conditioned and whereby the cool element may be moved to a positionto receive heat from said space or alternatively said warm element maybe moved to a position to transfer heat to said space, a source of heatfor providing energy for operating said system thermostaticallycontrolled means for automatically turning said assembly to a positionfor transferring heat to said space when the temperature thereof fallsbelow a predetermined limit and to a position for transferring heat fromsaid space when the temperature thereof rises above a predeterminedlimit, and means acting under the control of said thermostaticallycontrolled means to shut off said source of heat when the temperature insaid space is within a predetermined intermediate range.

ARTHUR H. KEHOE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Dybvig Aug. 6, 1946Number

